News

The weather continues to be the big story in our region, with the Yellow Snow Squall warning from Environment Canada still in place for the Picton area, suggesting these conditions could last until early this evening. The OPP East Region have put out a travel advisory warning for motorists travelling east of Trenton and beyond to be aware of deteriorating road conditions. In a post on X, OPP East Region say that several areas are currently experiencing heavy snowfall and strong winds, creating whiteout conditions on roadways.
Visibility is also said to be significantly reduced, and surfaces are becoming slippery and icy, leading to unpredictable travel conditions and potential delays. If you must travel, check the provinces website, 511ON.ca for the most recent road conditions. I’ll have more weather later in this newscast.
Prince Edward County officials say installation of the final sections of trunk watermain and sanitary sewer along the Millennium Trail in Wellington has been temporarily delayed. While installing the infrastructure along the trail between Consecon Street and just east of Wharf Street, groundwater infiltrated the work area, and the contractor is currently working to remove the water. Installation of the watermain and sanitary sewer will resume once site conditions allow, with the project competed in it’d entirety by the end of June.
Public Safety Canada says gun owners reported over 22,000 firearms to the federal government in the first week of a program to provide compensation for banned guns. Owners of outlawed firearms have until the end of March to declare interest in the program that offers them compensation for turning in or permanently deactivating their guns. Since May 2020, Ottawa has outlawed about 2,500 types of firearms, including the AR-15, on the basis they belong only on the battlefield. Prohibited firearms and devices must be disposed of — or deactivated — by the end of an amnesty period on Oct. 30. Federal officials have said that almost $250 million has been earmarked to compensate people who take part in the program. the money of which
will cover compensation for about 136,000 firearms.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has “nothing to do with” a contract held by a Brampton-based defence manufacturer to supply U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with armoured vehicles. Ford made the comment during a news conference this morning after he was asked about criticism of the deal between the company, Roshel, and the U.S. government. His response came after NDP Leader Marit Stiles released a statement “calling for an end” to Ontario manufacturing contracts with ICE in the wake of the shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota this month. The Canadian Press has previously reported that the U.S. government awarded a sole-sourced contract to Roshel worth the equivalent of about C$10 million for 20
Senator STANG emergency response tactical vehicles. The contract is expected to be completed within the next month.
And speaking of ICE, Outrage is growing in Italy over the deployment of ICE agents to assist US security operations at the Winter Olympics next month. Over the weekend, Italian media reports of ICE’s deployment to the northern city of Milan drew criticism and prompted petitions, amid increased scrutiny over the jurisdiction and force leveraged by immigration officers in the US. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the reports today, saying . ICE will serve “a security role” at the Olympics and will quote “obviously” not do immigration enforcement in a foreign country. The Milano Cortina Olympics begin Friday February 6.

Sports

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills stayed in-house by promoting offensive co-ordinator Joe Brady as their new head coach today, in a move that provides continuity to a Josh Allen-led perennial winner that has accomplished everything short of reaching a Super Bowl. It’s a five-year deal, and comes a little after a week since Sean McDermott was fired following a nine-year tenure.
10 games in the NHL tonight, including the Buffalo Sabres visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Las Vegas in Montreal, with 7 pm starts.
Later, the San Jose Sharks battle the Canucks in Vancouver. Puck drop is 10pm.
And in soccer, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad. Blatter was the latest international soccer figure to call into question the suitability of the United States as a host country. He called for the boycott in a post on X. The United States is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19.